You know what Kotaku's semi-nightly open thread needs? Or could possibly benefit from? Themed Tuesdays. Yeah, let's guide this off-topic conversation toward the new world of music. Yes, that can include video game music!

How about, let's say, once a month we share our current playlists so that we can turn each other on to music new, classic and overlooked. We'll roll other themes through Tuesday nights, focusing on other subjects, so we can keep this conversation fresh. Sound good? Good! I'll start.

I'm in the process of dumping my entire CD collection, burning it to hard drives and passing on those discs to people who still enjoy physical media. That means I've been listening to less-new stuff—Interpol's Antics, Man... or Astro-man?'s Project Infinity, Beck's Sea Change and Billy Bragg and Wilco's Mermaid Avenue. This past week, I've also been listening to iTunes purchases like ceo's White Magic, LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening and Gui Boratto's Chromophobia.

How about you? What's on your playlist? If you hate music, here are some other things to talk about.

• Google says Microsoft's Bing is swiping its search results - Or is it just smartly building on Google's work?
• Speaking of Google... - They have teamed up with Twitter for an interesting solution to the internet outage in Egypt.
• Speaking of Egypt... - President Mubarak won't seek another term. Protesters say "GTFO now" in response.
• Lifehacker has some tips on surviving the latest Snowpocalypse - Charge early, charge often!

The folks behind Resistance and Ratchet & Clank may be best known for their inventive, sometimes kooky weapons, but Insomniac Games are also developing new ways of turning bodies into lifeless piles of meat.

The latest Resistance 3 trailer not only features the glorious return of the weapon wheel—missed you, weapon wheel!—but introduces the Chimeran Brawler, a big ugly alien with the power to crush humans with his fist. Brawler mad. Brawler smash!

You'll also see hapless resistance fighters crushed and decapitated by Chimerans and enjoy the thrill of watching those alien bastards explode into Chimeran salsa, all while savoring 90 seconds of Resistance 3 gameplay.

Resistance 3 comes to the PlayStation 3 on September 6, 2011.

Since its launch in November, Treyarch's Call of Duty: Black Ops has racked up more than 5 billion headshots, downed more than a billion aircraft and killed virtual soldiers to the tune of nine times the world's population.

That's about 62 billion and change, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's world population clock.

Activision hit us with the latest mind-numbing stats from the world's most popular online first-person shooter today, courtesy of an infographic that puts Black Ops worldwide violence into perspective. 161 World War II's are fought everyday, they say. More than 1.1 trillion shots have been fired. One of the game's deadliest weapons is an RC car. And you wouldn't believe how many tomahawks have banked off walls, probably resulting in yet another ridiculous kill.

To see how popular Black Ops is (and continues to be) in raw numbers, take a look at all this carnage, now in extra-large infographic form.

We expect the body count to grow with the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops' first map pack, the First Strike DLC, which you can see in action here.

It's heartwarming, isn't it? Millions of people getting to amass virtual killings well into the billions? Feels good.

The 3rd Birthday, the PSP action-RPG entry in Square Enix's Parasite Eve series, comes to North America on March 29, 2011. Yvonne Strahovski (Mass Effect 2's Miranda) will voice series heroine Aya Brea.

Charlotte's custom Fallout 3 character Jinx Jones wiped Megaton straight off the Wasteland map! Also, check out her Fallout: New Vegas art piece HERE.

Related Rampage: Red Dead Redemption - Marston

Tenpenny Babe by Charlotte / hel999

Need your daily fill of geek eye candy? If so, head over to Justin Page's Rampaged Reality and get your fix. Republished with permission.

Meat Bun is my favorite game-themed t-shirt company, and it's not just because Mike owns it. It's because they make some amazingly subtle video game shirts.

Take this one of my favorite one-eyed Marvel-filched Robert E. Howard creation: Shuma-Gorath.

What you missed
Black Ops' Newest Four Maps in Action, Plus Zombies!
A Cursed Catwoman and an Ancient Egyptian Plague Set to Invade DC Universe
Playing Video Games With Dad Builds Better Daughters
SOCOM 4 And The Modern Shooter's Flirtation With Call Of Duty

This week's North American PlayStation Store update brings a great deal of mustache, thanks to the arrival of Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2, now with 100% more soup strainer. What else is on tap?

The Clash's London Calling might be the best music you can download this week, unless you're adamantly against Rock Band 3 or are a massive Jordin Sparks fan. Pac-Man Championship Edition raises the bar for the PSP minis line and a fully downloadable Assassin's Creed II is now yours for the taking.

Read on for the full list of new additions in this week's PSN update.

Games & Demos for PlayStation 3

Assassin's Creed II Deluxe Edition ($29.99)
The UnderGarden ($9.99)
Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 ($14.99)
Tales From Space: About A Blob ($14.99) (Early Access to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
PSone Classic Imports - Mega Man 2 ($5.99)
Fight Night Champions Demo
Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll Demo

Games & Demos for PSP

Samurai Shodown ($6.99)
Wackylands Boss – minis ($4.99)
Pac-Man Championship Edition – minis ($4.99)

Add-ons & Expansions

EyePet – Butterfly Pack (free)
ModNation Racers – Helghast Mod and Kart ($1.99)
Monopoly Streets – Cannon Token ($0.99)
Monopoly Streets – Horse and Rider Token ($0.99)
Monopoly Streets – Rocking Horse Token ($0.99)
Monopoly Streets – Stratosphere City ($6.99)
Monopoly Streets – Championship Board ($2.49)
The Sims 3 – Ultra Lounge Kids Bedroom Pack ($14.99)
The Sims 3 – Ultra Lounge Teens Pack ($9.99)

Disney Sing It: The Party Hits tracks

• "Hey Soul Sister" by Train ($1.99)
• "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" by Jordin Sparks ($1.99)
• "Undo It" by Carrie Underwood ($1.99)
• Party Hits DLC Pack 2 ($5.99) – "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train, "UNDO It" by Carrie Underwood and "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" by Jordin Sparks.

Rock Band tracks

• "London Calling" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Brand New Cadillac" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Jimmy Jazz" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Hateful" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Spanish Bombs" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "The Right Profile" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Lost in the Supermarket" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Clampdown" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "The Guns of Brixton" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Wrong ‘Em Boyo" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Death or Glory" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Koka Kola" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "The Card Cheat" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Lover's Rock" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Four Horsemen" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "I'm Not Down" by The Clash ($1.99)
• "Revolution Rock" by The Clash ($1.99)
• The Clash's London Calling ($19.99) – "London Calling", "Brand New Cadillac", "Jimmy Jazz", "Hateful", "Rudie Can't Fail", "Spanish Bombs", "The Right Profile", "Lost in the Supermarket", "Clampdown", "The Guns of Brixton", "Wrong ‘Em Boyo", "Death or Glory", "Koka Kola", "The Card Cheat", "Lover's Rock", "Four Horsemen", "I'm Not Down", and "Revolution Rock".

Rock Band tracks

• "Fate of the Maiden" by Amberian Dawn ($1.99)
• "Gabrielle" by Ween ($1.99)
• "Jumpers" by Sleater-Kinney ($1.99)
• "Roll The Dice" by Damone ($0.99)
• "Steppin' Lightly" by Gov't Mule ($1.99)

Game Videos

Plants vs Zombies Trailer
Top Spin 4: Announce Trailer
Tales From Space: About A Blob Trailer
Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer
Back To The Future: Behind the Scenes Part 3
The Fight: Lights Out – Live Action 3D Trailer
Killzone 3 – Justice Trailer
MotorStorm Apocalypse – Festival Mode Developer Diary
inFAMOUS 2 Rising Sun Video

Themes, Wallpapers & Avatars

EyePet Spring Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Whimsical Fantasy Premium Theme ($1.49)
Draco: The Return Premium Theme ($1.49)
Billowing Cloud Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 Avatars (x5) ($0.49)
Explodemon Avatars (x5) ($0.49)
Explodemon Avatar Bundle ($1.49)

Sales, Price Drops & Bundles

Droplitz – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Class of Heroes Legacy – Sale (PSP) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
Crimson Gem Saga – Sale (PSP) (now $14.99, original price $29.99)
Hammerin' Hero – Sale (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Hexyz Force – Sale (PSP) (now $14.99, original price $29.99)
Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble – Sale (PSP) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
Knights in the Nightmare – Sale (PSP) (now $14.99, original price $29.99)
Riviera: The Promised Land – Sale (PSP) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
R-Type Command – Sale (PSP) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable – Sale (PSP) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona – Sale (PSP) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
Steamboat Chronicles Battle Tournament – Sale (PSP) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Yggdra Union – Sale (PSP) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Half-Minute Hero – Price Change (PSP) (now $14.99, original price $19.99)
Mahjongg Artifacts – minis – Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2 – minis – Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
Stand O' Food – minis – Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $1.99, original price $4.99)
Supermarket Mania – minis – Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
The Mystery Of The Crystal Portal – minis – Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
I Must Run! – minis – Permanent Price Drop (PS3/PSP) (now $1.49, original price $3.99)
M.O.Z.O.X. Space Salvager – minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $1.49, original price $2.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 2: The Mystery Of Riddle Manor – Price Change (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 3: The Mystery Of The Concealing Flame – Price Change (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 4: Death From Above – Price Change (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 5: The Riddles Of The Past – Price Change (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 6: Flight Of The Felonious Fugitive – Price Change (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episodes 1-3 Bundle Pack – Price Change (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 2-6 Upgrade Bundle – Price Change (PS3) (now $13.99, original price $25.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 4-6 Bundle Pack – Price Change (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 1 – Price Change (PS3) (now $0.99, original price $7.49)
Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 1-6 Bundle Pack – Price Change (PS3) (now $14.99, original price $26.99)

PlayStation Plus

Assassin's Creed II Deluxe Edition Full Game Trial
Tales from Space: About a Blob Demo (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Tales from Space: About a Blob (Full Game (PlayStation Plus Exclusive, $14.99)
Digger HD (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $9.99)
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $5.99)
Karimogi (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $2.99)
Fat Princess (PS3) (PlayStation Plus price $7.50, regular price $14.99)
Fat Princes PSP (PlayStation Plus price $10.00, regular price $19.99)
Mega Man 2 (PSone Import) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
Kung Fu LIVE (PS3) (PlayStation Plus price $11.99, regular price $14.99)
PlayStation Plus Dynamic Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Junebug Bench Static Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Ghouls and Ghost Avatar Bundle (17 avatars) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $1.99)
Bionic Commando Rearmed Avatar Bundle (10 avatars) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $0.99)
Atomic Blast Static Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers)

After the runaway success of New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS and New Super Mario Bros. Wii for Nintendo's home console, news of a new Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo 3DS is probably not a surprise.

So, we won't pretend that Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto promising a new Super Mario Bros. game for Nintendo's glasses-free stereoscopic 3D handheld will rock your world. But here is Mr. Miyamoto essentially announcing his plans for the next potentially big Mario game, telling his boss Satoru Iwata he will "insatiably" adopt the latest video game technology, SMB-style.

From the latest Iwata Asks Q&A:

Miyamoto Yes. So, in the interests of adopting new technology for the Super Mario Bros. tradition, I am now making a new Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo 3DS system.

Iwata The next stage for the Super Mario Bros. Preservation Society's activities is the Nintendo 3DS.

Miyamoto Yes. (laughs) I want to show everyone as soon as possible what the new Super Mario Bros. will be like on the Nintendo 3DS.

Miyamoto previously spoke on the possibility of a new Super Mario Bros. game for the 3DS, saying he'd like to explore a 3D take on Super Mario World, originally released on the Super Nintendo. New Super Mario World, anyone?

Iwata Asks: The Culture of Kyoto [Nintendo]

When I played SOCOM 4 today, I controlled it with the forthcoming PlayStation 3 Sharpshooter peripheral, a shell that houses a PlayStation Move. This scheme is not mandatory, but it works. SOCOM developer Ben Jones explains how.

Jones' explanation gives you the pertinent details. It's hard to assess how good the Sharpshooter will feel during extended sessions of play. I was getting comfortable with it after a few minutes, but I didn't have enough time with it to determine if I would have to worry about arm fatigue.

The Sharpshooter alignment does make it easy to aim and tag points in the game world where the player's two fireteams can be sent to stand, take cover or fight. As Jones notes, you have to move the gun peripheral to turn. I wasn't able to try all of the settings, but the one I used gave me a good sense of how responsive this scheme can be. Without a button pressed, I had to move the Sharpshooter until it pointed to the screen's edge to start turning the camera's perspective. But with a button pressed, I was able to move the camera with even minor movements of the Sharpshooter. An alternate control mode that Jones described to me allows for 1:1 movement. As you turn the Sharpshooter, the view turns.

The Sharpshooter is an elaborate peripheral. I was skeptical about how well it would work. It handled better than I expected. Jones says its the best control scheme for the game. I can't say that yet. I'd still lean toward using the Dualshock 3 or the Move sans Sharpshooter. But I'd give this a try again. Why not?

When Street Fighter IV's ultra combos are recreated in the real world, is the result silly looking or totally bad-ass? As "action company" Thousand Pounds, demonstrates, it's somewhere in the middle.

Watch as Vonzell Carter, James Young and David 'Dax' Bauer beat each other up with a series of dramatic, slow motion death blows lifted (in style and presentation, at least) from Street Fighter IV. Can you guys do Zangief's ultra next?

Ultra Combos #1 - Thousand Pounds [YouTube via Reddit]